Karanka: 'World Cup calls would be a pat on the back for Boro'

BRAZIL BOUND: Dimi Konstantopoulos is set to be named in Greece's squad for the World Cup finals

AITOR Karanka is hoping Dimi Konstantopoulos and Albert Adomah receive World Cup call ups to further vindicate the progress that has been made at Middlesbrough this season.

With Greece boss Fernando Santos due to name his provisional World Cup squad next week ahead of a friendly with Portugal, Konstantopoulos has been asked to keep himself fit despite Boro’s Championship campaign being at an end.

The 35-year-old, who boasts one senior cap for his country, is in line to be selected as Greece’s third-choice goalkeeper for this summer’s tournament in Brazil, despite only having been Boro’s fourth-choice shot-stopper last autumn.

His fortunes have been revitalised under Karanka, and he recently signed a new one-year deal at the Riverside.

Adomah’s World Cup prospects are more uncertain, as the winger has been in and out of the Ghana squad for the majority of the season.

However, with Ghana head coach Kwesi Appiah due to name his provisional 30-man squad on Monday, a list of names has been leaked to the Ghanaian media, with Adomah involved.

“It would be a big thing for Middlesbrough to have someone at the World Cup finals,” said Karanka. “If they get to the World Cup, it will be because they have played very well here and we will have benefited from that.

“It will be an amazing experience for them. Just imagine if Dimi goes with Greece – he was the fourth-choice goalkeeper back in November, but now he is on the verge of playing in a World Cup. That is amazing, and someone like that is the type of player that I want in my squad.”

Kenneth Omeruo, who spent the majority of last season on loan at Middlesbrough from Chelsea, is also expected to be involved in the World Cup finals with Nigeria.